Students are submitting multiple applications using websites like commonapp.com They want to know that they have options. It is not unusual for parents to take their students on an east coast college tour. The students and parents will visit five or six colleges to determine the one that is the best fit for their particular interest and financial circumstance. This can be an expensive venture if the colleges require airplane flights that are far distances. Some parents and students are making a decision to stay close to home. They can reduce the cost of travel and some of the living expenses that are increased when a student is studying at a college that is away from home.

Some of the students are put on a wait list by prominent colleges. This is not a reason for alarm. Due to the economic downturn students who are on the wait list are receiving new acceptance letters. Some colleges are not getting the number of applications that they expected. This has forced colleges to scramble to make their numbers. College admission offices may call students to make them a financial aid package that they cannot refuse. Some financial aid offices are able to offer a better financial aid package because more money is available due to students who have not accepted their offer.

Making the right college choice is a frustrating experience for many college students. They listen to their friends to find out where they are sending their college applications. Unfortunately their family’s financial circumstance may not allow them to have many college choices. Students do not know that college selection should be an independent decision. Colleges don’t always give students enough information during the student’s early years of high school. Students and parents need more admission and financial information in these changing economic times.

It appears that colleges are becoming more aware that students are a valuable asset. The economic downturn is a real issue that families must confront. If not navigating the financial obligation of a four year college education could result in financial pit falls. For some parents it may mean sending their student to a community college for two years. Many of the four year colleges have articulation agreements with community colleges. The reduced cost will give them time to recover from their employment circumstances. In spite of the challenges these students are facing college attendance is still the right choice. It is the one life experience that will increase a student earning potential for decades.

1. Be sure you are reasonably happy with the essay before you show it to anyone. This doesn’t mean that you think it’s perfect and won’t be open to making changes. Instead, it assures that you will be able to analyze feedback from a position of strength, not insecurity, thus maximizing its benefits.

2. Be very careful about whose opinions you seek, Many people consider themselves accomplished writers or editors and, although their intentions may be good, they simply aren’t. Even worse, they don’t fully understand what makes a successful college application essay. This won’t stop them from offering an opinion if asked so please, choose wisely. Remember, not all opinions are equal.

If possible, ask for feedback from people familiar with the application process, teachers or tutors, professional writers, college students who are attending good schools, or someone whose perspective you highly respect. These readers will offer more perceptive, valuable, and ultimately more achievable input about your essay.

3. Get three opinions per draft. One is too few, more than three will only be confusing.

Generally, if all three of your readers, or two out three, give you similar feedback, then there is obviously an issue in your essay that needs to be addressed. Make your revisions, further polish the essay, then look for three different readers to comment on the next draft. Continue in this manner until the feedback is almost unanimously positive. That’s when you’ll know that your essay is almost finished.

4. Don’t be defensive. Listen carefully to everything your reader has to say, without rushing to defend why you used that turn of phrase or what you really meant in that paragraph. Stay objective about your work, as if you’re discussing someone else’s essay. This will allow you to truly hear what your reader is saying and to decide whether you agree with it, which is still your prerogative, or not.

5. Ask questions. If you think a particular bit of feedback is accurate and valuable, ask the reader why he or she feels that way, what is it in the essay that provoked that opinion? Sometimes a reader will have a feeling about the essay (”something is missing, I’m not sure what”) that he can’t quite articulate. By asking genuine questions, you can often pinpoint what the issue is, and fix it.

6. Trust yourself. Readers will sometimes suggest sweeping changes that are good, but not compatible with what you want to say. They might also be coming from a more adult, rather than a high school student, perspective. Remember that you worked hard to develop an essay topic that reflects your values and personality. While other ideas certainly exist, this is the one you’ve chosen – the one you believe in – and it’s okay to stick with it.

People who give feedback on your college application essay are clearly doing you a favor, and it’s important to be appreciative. At the same time, however, keep in mind that your ultimate commitment is to writing the most effective application essay possible and to do that, you’ve got to use that feedback wisely